Around a dozen other bathers leapt into the water to save the child after spotting the pair being dragged towards rocks by the strong current.

Lifeguards Mr Morris moments later.

Witnesses said he appeared at first to be okay after being brought to safety before he collapsed and fell to the ground from a suspected heart attack.

Pals paid tribute to him on Facebook today.

Jay Carter said: ”Today is not a good day. My best friend sadly passed away as a hero. Saving his own daughter from drowning in the sea, while holidaying in Spain. I’m going to miss you so much Reece.”

The tragedy happened just before 2.30pm yesterday in front of the dead man’s wife and other daughter aged five at El Penoncillo Beach in Torrox (above) on the eastern Costa del Sol around 30 miles from Malaga

The dead man was identified only by his initials - R.B.M - and not by his full name as is customary in Spain. He is understood to be from London.

In June a British pensioner named as 76-year-old Jeffrey Dobson died in a suspected drowning in front of a celeb beach club in the upmarket Costa del Sol resort of Marbella.

Paramedics and police tried to revive him on the sand outside the popular Ocean Club after he was pulled from the water but could do nothing to save him.